Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Hao Y. Li, 41, died July 15, 2024, at American Lake on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Army)
The soldier who died at American Lake on Joint Base Lewis-McChord had served in the Army for nearly 19 years, including two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, base officials said Monday.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Hao Y. Li, 41, died July 15 at about 7:30 p.m. near the popular Shoreline Beach Park at the Washington base, according to Maj. Matthew Pargett, spokesman for I Corps, the lead Army command at the base that is operated jointly with the Air Force.
Li is married and has a son, Pargett said. No additional information about Li’s family or circumstance of his death was provided.
Following the incident last week, base officials barred swimming at lakes, rivers and bayfront on the base. The Army provides lifeguards at base swimming pools, but none are assigned to American Lake or other recreational areas. The Army said the ban would remain in place through at least the end of July while a safety review is conducted.
American Lake is 1.7 square miles between Interstate 5 and the Puget Sound. It’s a popular day trip for miliary members and their families. The Army also uses it for Special Forces and parachute training. A portion of the lake is outside the base and is open to the public.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Hao Y. Li in an undated photo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., with Mount Rainier in the background. Li died July 15, 2025, of an apparent drowning at American Lake at the base. He served nearly 19 years in the Army, including two deployments to Iraq. (U.S. Army)
Li was a property book officer with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion for I Corps at the time of his death.
Lt. Col. Brian Evans, the battalion commander, issued a statement on Monday praising Li as a respected and admired soldier.
“We feel deep sorrow over the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Li,” Evans said in the statement. “His passing is a profound loss to our unit and all those that knew him.”
Evans said the Army was providing resources and support to Li’s family.
Li joined the Army in Virginia in August 2005 and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training as a unit supply specialist at Fort Lee, Va.
Li deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as a unit supply clerk and supply sergeant with responsibility to support more than 200 soldiers in forward operating bases.
He became a warrant officer in September 2015, specializing in logistics. Li earned a bachelor’s degree in management at the University of Maryland in May 2019.
Li’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Basic Recruiter Badge.
